The One spent three consecutive weeks at #2 without ever reaching #1 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Lionel Richie's Back to Front compilation. However, it was John's biggest selling album in the US since 1975. The One was certified 2x platinum in the US by the RIAA.

This was John's first album project since his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions and bulimia in 1990. This is the last studio album to feature his Roland RD-1000 digital piano. John started playing a Yamaha Disklavier piano shortly after.